Quartête à Tête

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Quartête à Tête are: Lynn McGown, Michael Pratt, Vanessa Kay and Michael Viens

Quartête à Tête sing with a wonderful sense of fun, passion and with harmonies both beautiful and unique. Their music is contemporary traditional and originals songs that entertain, delight and always touch the heart with an uncanny way of getting a crowd singing full throttle. In the words of the late Utah Phillips on stage at Van. Folk Festival "you gotta hear these folks they are the real thing!"

Michael Pratt and Lynn McGown have been a pivotal part of the Vancouver music scene for 35 years. In the late 70’s Michael organized the Green Cove Coffee house on Commercial Drive and in the early 80's they hosted house concerts at their Grant St. home in East Van, later they created the Jericho Folk Club in 1993 and also their concert series at Celtic Traditions where they weave a magic that frees all to give voice to the pleasure of singing. They have passionate belief in live acoustic music and creating a community where all are welcome.

Lynn a native of Montreal is an outstanding singer with a beautiful emotive quality to her delivery. Michael is a powerful singer, concertina player and fiddler and now songwriter who draws from his Irish roots and his involvement in the British Folk Revival in the 70’s before moving to Canada. They have played at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival four times. Vanessa Kay on fiddle brings her gift of improvisation on backup and vocal harmonies and a driving energy on fiddle tunes to the quartet. Michael Viens of Blackthorn Band is one of that rare breed actually born in Vancouver. Michael first hit the road out of high school as a horn player in various bands and was the bass singer for the acappella group The Melloyds. Michael joined Quartête à Tête two years ago for the Walk for Peace concert and brought his wonderfully versatile guitar playing and bass voice that adds a rich depth to the harmonies.

They will be joined by guests Craig McGregor, it doesn't matter where you want to go, his guitar playing will take you there. From hauntingly melodic whispers of traditional slow airs to the fiery passion of fast-paced jigs and reels. The evening will also feature the pianistic styling’s of Simon Kendall, the Jessie and Genie Award winning composer, producer and performer.

We are delighted and honoured to have these talented and seasoned musicians on our stage.